Parthenon Battle | National Geographic

Summary

The Parthenon Marbles, once part of the grand temple dedicated to Athena, symbolize the peak of ancient Greek art and culture. After the Parthenon was damaged in 1686, Lord Elgin took the marbles to England, sparking a long-standing dispute over their rightful ownership. Greece argues for their return, emphasizing the importance of seeing the pieces together in their original context, while the British Museum claims legal ownership and values the global cultural perspective it offers. Public opinion in Britain largely supports Greece, but the debate remains complex, with potential solutions through cooperation and exchanges being explored.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Parthenon was once a temple dedicated to Athena, symbolizing culture and refinement.
• 😀 In 1686, the Parthenon was severely damaged during a war between Venice and the Ottoman Empire.
• 😀 Lord Elgin, the British ambassador, obtained permission (or so he believed) to remove the Parthenon marbles in the early 19th century.
• 😀 Some believe Lord Elgin saved the Parthenon marbles from destruction, while others view him as a vandal who damaged the artwork to facilitate shipping.
• 😀 The British Museum holds some of the Parthenon marbles, while other fragments remain in Athens.
• 😀 Demetrios Pandermalis, the head of the Acropolis Museum, argues that the Parthenon marbles belong together in Athens.
• 😀 The British Museum claims ownership of the marbles, asserting its legal right and its mission to display global cultural artifacts.
• 😀 The British Museum believes that exhibiting the marbles in their context, alongside other ancient civilizations, enhances their historical value.
• 😀 Pandermalis insists that the marbles should be displayed together to convey the complete story depicted in the Parthenon frieze.
• 😀 Public opinion in Britain largely supports the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, as shown in various polls.
• 😀 Professor Pandermalis plans to fill the missing gaps in the Parthenon frieze with copies of the British Museum's pieces and hopes for future cooperation between institutions to return the originals.

Q & A

What is the Parthenon and why is it significant?

The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, symbolizing the culture and refinement of ancient Greece. It is an architectural marvel and a symbol of Greek civilization, revered for its artistic and historical significance.

What happened to the Parthenon in 1687?

In 1687, the Parthenon was blown up during a war between Venice and the Ottoman Empire, which was occupying Greece at the time. The explosion caused significant damage, leaving the temple in ruins.

Who is Lord Elgin, and what did he do with the Parthenon marbles?

Lord Elgin was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. He received what he believed was permission to remove the marble friezes from the Parthenon and bring them to England. His supporters argue that he saved the marbles from vandalism, but his detractors accuse him of being a vandal himself for cutting the friezes into sections to ship them.

Why does Greece want the Parthenon marbles returned?

Greece wants the Parthenon marbles returned because they are considered a vital part of Greek cultural heritage. Professor Demetrios Pandermalis, an advocate for the marbles' return, argues that they symbolize the peak of classical Greek art and belong to the Parthenon itself.

What is the British Museum's stance on the Parthenon marbles?

The British Museum claims legal ownership of the Parthenon marbles and argues that they are part of a larger mission to showcase world cultures. The museum believes that it provides unique context for the marbles by displaying them alongside other civilizations that flourished around the time of ancient Greece.

How do the Parthenon marbles contribute to understanding ancient Greek civilization?

The Parthenon marbles, particularly the friezes, are masterpieces that provide insight into the religious and cultural practices of ancient Athens. They depict a grand religious procession, symbolizing Athenian values and showcasing the artistic achievements of the time.

Why does Professor Pandermalis believe the marbles should be reunited in Greece?

Professor Pandermalis believes that the surviving pieces of the Parthenon frieze should be displayed together in Athens to restore the original narrative depicted in the artwork. He argues that it is incorrect to have fragments of the frieze spread across different locations, as the full story can only be understood when the pieces are reunited.

What is the public opinion in Britain regarding the return of the Parthenon marbles?

Polls consistently show that the British public supports the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, with many people agreeing that the marbles should be reunited with the Parthenon.

What is Professor Pandermalis' solution to the issue of missing frieze pieces?

Professor Pandermalis plans to fill in the gaps of the Parthenon frieze in Greece with copies of the British Museum's fragments. He intends to paint the copies in a way that distinguishes them from the originals, with the long-term goal of replacing them with the original marbles if an agreement is reached.

What is the British Museum's stance on lending the Parthenon marbles?

The British Museum has a generous loans policy and is open to discussions about possible exchanges. However, it maintains that the marbles are legally owned by the museum and that lending them to Greece or any other country is complicated due to legal and ownership concerns.